Bu Pc 99. Announcing a monk’s grave offense
Pāli / Sanskrit:Duṭṭhullārocana
A monk who tells an unordained person about another monk’s serious offence must confess the offense.
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Announcing a Monk's Grave Offense
Duṭṭhullārocana — Vinaya Piṭaka, Rule 9
Background
In the Theravāda tradition, the Vinaya Piṭaka was established to maintain the discipline and purity of the Saṅgha. These rules are not meaningless restrictions, but rather guidelines that assist bhikkhus in cultivating themselves independently of sensual desire and hostility. The Duṭṭhullārocana, also known as "Announcing a Grave Offense," belongs to the Bhikkhu Pātimokkha, specifically within the section on Pārājika Dhamma — those offenses that result in expulsion.
This rule was formulated on the basis of historical incidents within the Saṅgha, in which certain bhikkhus failed to observe the principle of confidentiality regarding the transgressions of their fellow monastics. Disclosing the offenses of another to those outside the Saṅgha was regarded as an action that violated the integrity of communal practice.
Main Content
According to the Duṭṭhullārocana, if a bhikkhu discloses or announces a grave offense (duṭṭhulla āpatti) committed by another bhikkhu to an unordained person (anariyasāvaka) or to one who is not a bhikkhu, that bhikkhu must confess his own transgression. An offense considered "grave" (duṭṭhulla) generally refers to the major offenses within the Pātimokkha.
Such an action is regarded as a Pācittiya offense — one requiring confession. What is the reason for this? First, public disclosure harms the reputation of both the Saṅgha as a whole and the individual bhikkhu concerned. Second, when announced before outsiders, the matter spreads and gives rise to a loss of trust in the monastic community. Third, such an action reflects jealousy, ill will, or a desire to conceal one's own transgressions.
Nevertheless, the Vinaya Piṭaka also prescribes certain exceptions.
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